The 8 Best Gear Oil For Limited Slip Differentials In 2023
Due to abnormal runs of transmission, we get to face critical internal conditions in gears. On the other hand, gear oil for limited-slip differentials helps in enhancing user experience and outstanding performance to make soft metal synchronizes at its best level. It is your place where the best gear oil for limited slip differentials comes to play for a better fuel economy, Less high heat, better protection.
If you want to avoid inadequate lubrication, give a glance at the enlisted products here. But the question is, which oil is going to provide a bang-worth of your money?
A limited slip differential is a popular option for many of today’s new cars and driving off road trucks that provides an advantage of increased traction. So, choosing a perfect oil according to your preferences won’t cost arm and leg.
Without any further delay, let’s explore the best gear oil for differential.
8 Best Gear Oil For Limited Slip Differentials Recommendation in 2023
Now we are going to explore the 8 best gear oil for differential. See their specification and select best differential oil according to your need.
#1. Valvoline SynPower 75W-90 Gear Oil -Best gear lubricant
No matter how much we praise Valvoline SynPower™, it would be less. Be it quality or formulation, Valvoline is still the best differential oil. However, we look for performance and protection most while buying a gear oil. In such cases, Valvoline SynPower 75W-90 gear oil puts a tick.
Sometimes, our oil doesn’t support us in all temperatures and creates hurdles in gears. But, don’t worry if you have this outstanding product, it works as corrosion protection.
Stability
Other than thermal stability, Valvoline SynPower provides a longer service life to gears. Therefore, firm cleanliness will always remain in your kit. And obviously, you will be getting durability here.
Special additives
Special additives play a significant role in assisting and protecting gear teeth. As a result, corrosions and rusts will not make any difference to your gear. By using additives occur reduce wear, friction modifier, gearbox damage protection in extreme conditions.
Compatibility
Those who own conventional gear oils can entirely rely on Valvoline 75w90 for effective performance in vehicles.
Pros
- Best in quality and formulation
- Ensures performance with the protection of gears
- Supports in both hot and cold weather
- Prevents equipment from rusts and corrosion
- Protect gears & fuel efficiency
Cons
- Not recommended for Honda applications
#2. Red Line 75W-90 GL-4 Gear Oil
Aside from 5w40 and 10w40 gear oils, you can find the same viscosity in Red Line 75W90. Especially for off-road rides, Red Line’s oil is a superb choice. However, this product turns out to be great for Toyota, Lotus, Audi, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mendeola, Atlas, etc.
You can also get this oil in lower viscosity, like Mt-85 and Mtl. Moreover, Red Line 75W90 maintains its stability even at high temperatures. By having a coefficient of friction, this oil goes fine with brass synchronizers as well.
Longer life
As I mentioned above, Red Line GL-4 gains an amazing synchro life, so obviously, the oil’s life will be longer.
Protection
Most importantly, Red Line 75w90 Eliminates notchy shifting, which we get to see in our gears frequently. Also, the sulfur formula is less slippery. Thus, compatibility won’t bother at all.
Applications
Along with synchromesh fluids, this oil will suit best with GL-1, GL-3, and GL-4.
Perfection
Pros
- It goes well in off-road rides
- Available in lower viscosity too
- Maintains thermal stability in high temperatures
- Prevents corrosion and notchy shiftings
Cons
- Not suitable for snowblower auger
#3. Lucas 75W90 Synthetic Gear Oil Review
Lucas SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil is a reliant choice for high-performance applications. The lubricants it has been nonfoaming, long-lasting, and super slick.
Indeed, there are special additives with this product that helps to prevent squeezing outs in gears. So, whenever your equipment faces extreme pressure situations, go for Lucas Gear Oil.
Efficiency
One thing that makes Lucas 75W90 up to the mark is its efficiency. Along with cushioning gears, this oil protects gears in all possible situations. Without even losing its lubricity, Lucas Oil still performs best in high temperatures.
Fit type
In most cases, synthetic gear lube doesn’t suit all appliances. In contrast, the Lucas 75W90 goes well with almost every gear.
Controllability
Although gear oils need to struggle in hot weather, Lucas Oil looks perfect at that time. By controlling the heat, it leaves no stone unturned to lubricate smoothly.
Pros
- Perfect for high-performance applications
- It prevents squeezing outs in gears
- Nevers loses its lubricity, fuel economy
- It contains extreme pressures in gears
- Multipurpose, heavy-duty, extreme pressure additives
Cons
- It seems to be thicker in OEM
#4. Red Line Transmission Oil (42804)
If you have a sportbike, ATV, or V-Twin, Red Line 42804 can be your true friend to support you. Moreover, Nisan, Mazda, and Toyota can have great support like Red Line’s Transmission Oil.
While looking for viscosity requirements of 10W40, 15W40, 75W, and 80W, you can entirely rely on Red Line’s Oil.
Compatibility
With this oil, you will get enough compatibility with brass synchronizers. Also, the sulfur formula here is so low that you will rarely find anything slippery.
Shockproof
What makes Red Line Transmission Oil flawless is its preventing power. Therefore, heavy shocks, rusts, and corrosions will stay away from your gear.
Thicker oil films
Red Line’s Oil plays a significant role in resisting throw-off providing thicker oil films between gear teeth.
Pros
- Adapts well with brass synchronizers
- It has a deficient sulfur formula
- Prevents gears from heavy shocks, rusts, and corrosions
- Provides thicker oil films
Cons
- The smell is not good
#5. Red Line 75W90 Synthetic Gear Oil
Red Line 75W90 Synthetic Gear Oil works like magic for light trucks, passenger cars, and racing vehicles. Since the oil is coupled with additional friction modifiers, your clutch plates type limited-slip differentials will get enough suitability. But if your LSD is ordinary, you won’t require those friction modifiers.
Effectiveness
Red Line’s Oil contains polyester base stocks which help in excellent lubrication in high temperatures and high loadings.
Reduces wears
No doubt, Red Line 75W90 has natural lubricity. Thus, reducing wear and temperatures are like a cakewalk for this oil.
Natural multigrade property
Because of having natural multigrade properties, Red Line Gear Oil removes the need for unstable thickeners.
Pros
- Suitable for clutch-type limited-slip differentials
- Maintains lubricity in high temperatures and high loadings
- Reduces wears and temperatures easily
- It doesn’t require any unstable thickener
Cons
- The bottle doesn’t fit in pumps
#6. Mobil 75w90 Synthetic Gear Oil
Mobil 75W90 is a multi-purpose synthetic oil designed for high-level performances. Significantly, new passenger rides will be profitable once they get a hand with Mobil Synthetic Oil.
Optimized viscosity
Here, the viscosity-temperature properties are so optimized that their formulation stability is at the highest level.
Safety
As I mentioned before, the thermal stability here is excellent here, so the protection will also be firm. Be it corrosion, wear, or oxidative degradation, all these problems won’t bother your gear if you have Mobil 75W90 oil with you.
Pros
- A multi-purpose synthetic oil
- Best for modern passenger vehicles
- Removes oxidative degradation from gears
Cons
- Slightly challenging to put into gears
#7. Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
Choosing the proper fluid for gear is challenging when we find available products in the market. But, when it’s about Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid, I don’t think you would like to rely on any other oils.
Quality standards
The best thing about Honda VTM-4 is, it meets all Honda quality standards. Thereupon, all Honda vehicles can have mere support from this fluid.
Resistance
Resisting high temperatures, Honda VTM-4 will always protect your vehicle from temperature breakdowns.
Pros
- Perfect for Honda Models
- It meets all standards of Honda quality.
- Resists high-temperature breakdowns
Cons
- It doesn’t last long without a crush washer
Check Gear Oil For Noisy Differential
#8. Triax Synergy Gear MAX 75W90 GL-5 Limited Slip
Triax Synergy Gear MAX 75W90 GL-5 Limited Slip is formulated for high performance.
With additives that minimize friction and engine wear, also lowers operating temperatures and improves fuel economy.
This 75W-90 product can be used in any gasket mechanical transmission application including Haldex “active limited slip” applications. Great for heavy duty applications.
It is vital to change your transmission fluid with this product every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first.
The TGL-5-Max is made of unique additive technology that increases wear protection due to its unique properties at low temperatures.
This gear lubricants for extended drain intervals up to 750,000 miles (1,200,000 km) in on road heavy duty trucks.
How to Buy Best Gear Oil For Limited Slip Differentials
When you are selecting a gear oil for limited-slip differentials, consider two things every time. They are- GL rating and viscosity (SAE). Yet, there is more to know about your preferences. To find out which gear oil will suit you, read the traits below.
Additives
Lubricants have some additive package that determines lubricants’ general category. Also, the additives affect different key performances under operating conditions.
Most often, they come with organic and inorganic compounds. The additives are either suspended or dissolved as solids in oil. So, make sure your oil’s additives are corrosion inhibitors with antioxidants.
Viscosity
Desired thickness can be gain by choosing the proper viscosity. As a result, your interacting surfaces at speed and load will remain on track.
Base oil type
What type of base oil you will choose shall depend on your gear type, operating conditions, and others.
High-quality mineral oils work great in different applications since they have a higher viscosity than synthetic oils. On the other hand, synthetic base oils have thermal degradation and resistance to oxidation.
Summing up, synthetic oils are more suitable as they are subject to low ambient temperature.
What is a limited-slip differential oil?
Limited Slip Differentials (LSD) are a practical kind of differential that helps to rotate at various speeds. Mainly with the two output shafts, they get an advantage to work in every gear.
Many car owners use limited-slip differentials instead of standard differentials. The reason is, common differentials convey emotional damages in gears. Hence, more significant complexities arise due to high expenses.
What type of oil you are going to use depends on your limited-slip differential. The “Salisbury” or “Plate” limited differentials work with small plate clutches that contain friction modifiers.
Thus, this limited-slip differential reduces squeals eventually. Hence, a smooth power take-up keeps conveying in the gears. Whereas, Suitable Milliers gear oils contain LS in their names and provide good performance as well.
Understanding Limited Slip Differential
What causes differential chatter?
Differential chatter is a term used to describe the occurring of a vibration on a vehicle where one wheel rotates faster than the others. It occurs when the clutches repeatedly alternate between slipping and sticking instead of smoothly slipping and craetes metal to metal contact.
K&W 402508 Trans-X Posi Trac Limited Slip Gear Oil Additive is designed to quiet chattering differentials, reduced friction and improve gear oil performance.
- Reduces friction, wear and works ascorrosion protection
- Use synthetic gear oils.
The harmful grating sound of differential gear rubbing against each other causes a lot of damage reduces the overall performance of the gear, and can also break down connection parts, making repairs a costly process.
Rear diff chatter is caused by counter-torque. Torque is simply a rotational force. Counter-torque reverses the direction of the force, turning it into rotational turning force (or resistance).
If you add gear oil with a limited-slip additive, what will happen?
Adding a limited-slip additive can modify frictional characteristics, which help in eliminating chatter from oils. This additive is also acceptable to alter fluids’ original properties. You won’t get to see any chatters come to your gears.
What happens if you don’t add a limited-slip additive?
Fluids become slicker because of friction modifiers. So, if you don’t add any additives in your limited-slip clutches, they will start grabbing and will shudder in tight turns. By and large, it will eventually destroy your clutches and make your limited slip useless.
Frictions create heat. Wherefore, you must use additives or modified fluid to take care of those problems related to gears.
Synthetic Gear Oils Advantages
Friction is the enemy of performance. In a high-performance transmission, it is critical that gear oils maintain low frictional properties to optimize engineering and account for heavy loads and high horsepower.
synthesized gear oils are designed to meet or exceed major automotive, truck, trailer, off-highway machinery construction equipment manufacturers’ lubrication recommendations.
Gear oil helps keep gears moving smoothly, protects them from wear and tear, and allows them to perform better.
Extreme pressures, superior protecting qualities, and superb resistance to degradation make these oils ideal for today’s high-performance transmissions and differentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best gear oil for limited slip differentials.
Do limited-slip differentials require a special additive in the gear lube?
Gear lube additives alter fluids’ original friction properties. Therefore, eliminating chatters from gears won’t be a big deal for you.
Rather than formulating numerous gear oils, you can use a gear lube where MOPAR Limited Slip Additive is added. Use this additive for any axle equipped in your gear.
Can I use synthetic gear oil with a limited slip differential?
You can use synthetic gear oil with a limited slip differential.
But the gear oil will eventually break down the sacrificial zinc anodes over time. The few centers that do not recommend against synthetic oil are concerned about reduced lubricity compared to regular motor oils, resulting in premature bearing damage.
Do I need a limited-slip additive?
Limited-slip additives give exceptional friction plate lubrication. Also, the lubricant formulators play a significant role in developing new products that help to retain frictional performance. So yeah, you will need limited-slip additives for thermal stability too.
Is gl5 gear oil for a limited-slip?
Yes, gl5 gear oil is specifically made for limited-slip differentials. For instance, you can use them for SUVs, vans, cars, light-duty trucks, and off-road recreational vehicles.
What does limited-slip differential additive do?
There are frictional couplings in limited-slip differentials. These couplings connect axle shafts with differentials and provide some transmitting power to the wheels of vehicles.
For the most part, special additives have been developed to improve frictional responses. Indeed, they eliminate noise, stick-slip, and vibrating problems.
When would you use a limited-slip differential?
Most often, limited-slip differentials are used for the performance of cars which require a lot of power. Otherwise, they have to struggle in on and off-road situations.
One other thing is their application. It includes a fitting system of differentials with four-wheel drive cars. Accordingly, off-road ventures and extra tractions will become easier with limited-slip differentials.
Can you add too much-limited slip additive?
Adding too many limited-slip differentials can make your wheels break loose in a simple glitch. As a result, you will notice specific wheel spins making a stop.
Do limited slip differentials require a special additive in the gear lube?
Limited-slip (LSD) differentials feature a coiled wire rope around the pinion shaft that acts like a clutch. Unlike conventional open differentials, if one of the rear wheels loses traction, an LSD differential can transmit torque to both wheels. This must be accomplished by adding Amsoil (superior shear stability) synthetic gear lubes to the gear lube, for it to work properly.
What’s better, 75W90 or 75w140?
75W90 usually becomes thin when they are in higher oil temperatures. At the same time, 75W140 does not get as lean as 75W90. Contrastingly, both the oils hold the same thickness in lower temperatures, where 75W140 has a broader viscosity range.
What kind of gear oil goes in the differential?
Synthetic fluids differential oils are usually made in the lab. Like other synthetic oils, synthetic differential fluids are mere alternatives to using for optimal performance.
What is the advantage of using a limited-slip differential over a free slip differential?
Limited slip differential applications allow you to transfer engine torque across an axle while maintaining a degree of differential at the wheels. This is critical when one wheel is on slippery surfaces such as gravel or ice, ensuring that your vehicle maintains good traction.
Conclusion
After researching other gear oils, we got you these best gear oil for limited slip differentials. You can choose any of the products from the above since all of them are functional and carry great features.
Well, Mobil 75W90 Synthetic gear oil can be a better choice in terms of thermal stability. Similarly, Red Line 75W90 Gl-4 is great for smooth lubrication. Do you need a higher quality gear lube that meets the standards of heavy or racing use? Our guideline of differential gears, differential lubes, differential gear additives, and parts include ring and pinion gears, axle gears would help you to solve your problem
In the end, if you want to stick to your budget, Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid would be fine enough to meet your gear requirements for manual transmissions.
Note: stable viscosity
| Viscosity index/Viscosity grade | Classification |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | Low |
| 35 to 80 | Medium |
| 80 to 110 | High |
| Above 110 | Very high |
